Persuasive Essay On The Importance Of Sleep

People often overlook the importance of sleep, when sleep is actually necessary to survive. “Poor sleep can contribute to weight gain, headaches, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, an impaired immune system, and attention deficit disorder” (Lai, Wei-Shin). Over the past century Americans are consistently getting less sleep than needed due to multiple different factors. I can personally relate to not getting a good night’s sleep and facing the consequences of sleep deprivation. Overall, sleep is more important than we think when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. Sleep is necessary to live and vital to good health. Insufficient sleep has been linked to a number of diseases such as, diabetes, hypertension, depression, and obesity (Sleep and Sleep Disorders). When we sleep our “brains recharge, our cells repair themselves, and our bodies release important hormones” (Sleep Statistics and Research). Getting a good night’s sleep leaves your body feeling refreshed and energized, ready to face a new day. However, millions of people suffer from sleep disorders, adding “an estimated $15.9 billion to national health

Healthy sleep is essential for proper brain and body functionality” (Infographic: How Technology Affects Our Sleep). Sleep is necessary to survive, so it is important that Americans get an optimal amount of sleep. The hours of sleep per night people are receiving has decreased over the past century. I believe that the increased use of technology, rising stress levels, combined with a sedentary lifestyle are only some of the factors responsible for the overall decrease in the number of hours of sleep per night over the past century. Unless we as Americans change our habits and make obtaining a good night’s sleep a higher priority, this trend of fewer hours of sleep a night will continue to increase as well as the unwanted effects of sleep